Regarding this 1923 Oldsmobile Sedan, the seller states, “almost 100 years old“. Well, since the 2023 models are already out, I’d say this old gal has legitimately hit the century mark. Too bad Oldsmobile, itself, wasn’t as fortunate – but that’s a long sordid story for another day. Little is said about this car, and there are even fewer images, but what da hey, let’s look it over anyway. Found in Danville, California, this very OLDsmobile is available, here on craigslist for $9,500. MattR gets the credit for this Jurrasic find!
Claimed to have “beautiful patina“, the one external image of this Sedan, as Oldsmobile referred to it, shows it as being straight and complete – but one image? C’mon man, that’s not enough to generate an inquiry, much less serious interest. But, it is enough to make me wonder where this car has been all of these years and what it has been doing – just think of all of the history that has passed us by while this automotive relic has been on this earth! Oldsmobile’s other 1923 models included a two-door Brougham sedan (they had the bro-gum thing going on 100 years ago!), a coupe, a Semi-Sport four-door tourer, a two-door Cab (business coupe), a two-door convertible and a four-door tourer that was longer than the Semi-Sport. Production statistics indicate that this Sedan was one of about 3,500 assembled in ’23.
OK, this Olds with its 40 HP, 224 CI, in-line, four-cylinder engine actually runs, in spite of its 50-year big sleep. It’s not said how well it runs, or how reliable it may be, but the fact that it starts and moves on its own is amazing.
The interior has an interesting combination of things occurring. The dash is as simple as one would expect for a car of this era but the floor looks carpeted and the front seating upholstery shows as OK.
The back seat is another matter entirely but at least there still is a frame. There’s no headliner in place and with its absence, one can see all of the intricate woodwork that went into building a closed car of this era.
A one-hundred-year-old car that is complete and intact is a significant find, and worth rejoicing about if you’re a car guy or gal – this is notable! The downside is finding someone who will want it and will try to put this Oldsmobile back in proper order. I’m sure that individual exists, somewhere, the trick will be finding him or her, wouldn’t you agree?
In case of anyone interested. I have (2) 1923 Oldsmobile wooden spoke wheels for $200
Love that old Oldsmobile that is so darn cool someone definitely will latch on to her wish it could be me take care good luck
Sorry days gone by the new generation don’t want this old iron at today prices to restore just not worth it
C’mon man …. when are you dollar guys gonna get out of a passion hobby and just go get a job or something that IS “worth it” ? Cars like this aren’t about money. They are about filling your soul, and the pleasure of life in owning and driving some magical piece of ancient machinery. Why does it always have to be about money for some people ?
Always, always, follow the money. People who have money they don’t need fit in to that “passion” category. Their passion leads them to park the cars and let them sit like a trophy. They too, once the values drop and it gets continually harder and more expensive to get them worked on will loose some of their passion. I own 5 old cars, a 40, 50, 64, 74, 96. They are all nice (drivers) and driven somewhat regularly. I wouldn’t pay for any of them what I think they will bring today. I’m a retiring mechanic. I can keep them running. I quit taking in new customers with antique cars 3-4 years ago. The high cost of business overhead (labor mostly then rent/real estate) makes them not a good ROI for servicing. That same space/man hour will net twice the income from a modern every day vehicle. I’m surrounded by body shops and most of them feel the same way. I have a passion for a lot of material things that I look at from afar because of the $$$.
Neat. I don’t get the holes in the valve cover? Wouldn’t the oil splash out? I know Harley”s dribbled oil on the chain and leaked like crazy anyway, but…..
oil the push rods???? They line up. I would take that ole girl if cheaper. Very close to me.
No oil to the top end. Rockers were oiled manually with an oil can. The head was very advanced, with three exhaust ports. They were fitted on 1927 and 28 Chevy motors as an improvement. I think they were also adapted to model t overhead conversions.
What are the holes for then?
There’s a tool compartment in the right upper firewall that houses an oil can. Just a normal everyday oil squirt can. As others have stated you oil the rockers/push rods with it. Usually when you gas up.
Kind of looks like the Beverly Hillbillies truck. I know it was a cut down 1921 Oldsmobile 46 roadster.
I love this old car (most any brand back in those days). I sure hope someone latches onto this and fixes it up. I’m too old and on a fixed income that wouldn’t allow me to do it any justice. I’m fortunate I have an “almost classic” (96 Honda hatchback) that runs like a charm.
Could someone explain why Ford gets all of the credit for being the first auto company to produce a vehicle?
U hear it over & over again Ford this & ford that when there r a lot of folks out there who know better.
For instance Oldsmobile began producing vehicle’s in 1896 & before that it was Pontiac
Now i do kno Mercedes is the first auto maker to produce the first auto as worldwide but all Ford did was pay a man a decent wage for a decent days work as far as that company goes but how does anyone know those other companies didn’t pay it’s employees a decent wage for a decent days work.
Have u heard the story about Dr. Horacio a doctor who took a ride in a Winton vehicle that was produced in Clevand Ohio.
Now what Dr. Horacio did was he went to San Fran. in purchased a Winton & began the first voyage across America in this vehicle.
Now as i recall it took him over 3 months to complete the journey but he has the rightful ownership of the first person to travel from shore to shinning shore.
I know of no one who says Ford was the first automobile. People who aren’t really interested in the subject and only have passing knowledge may think that. Ford perfected the assembly line which made mass production of vehicles a reality and built an affordable vehicle making it available to the working man. That was his goal, achievement making his name a household word and making him a wealthy man.
Pontiac came out in 1926, no where near when Olds started up, and even then, it was a product brought out by GM , not a whole new company .
The Olds 3-port head was famous among pre–war hot rodders and none other than the Harry Miller Co. modified them as well for race cars. I had such a dry lakes car powered by a 1928 Chevy 4-banger topped by a Miller/Olds 3-Port head.
Just FYI, Oldsmobile not only made it past the century mark, it was 107 years old (and the oldest automaker at the time) when GM pulled the plug.
Interesting to compare this 1923 piece of Oldsmobile automotive history with the 1950 Buick RIviera sedan shown concurrently. What an amazing degree of technological and design development in a mere 27 years! (And I can tell you, from my octogenarian’s perspective, 27 years is the blink of an eye!
Beautiful steering wheel! And yes, I imagine the holes are to enable oiling the rockers.
I was taught that many of the first car engines like your modern push mowers were splash lubrication (no oil pump) so the exposed push rods and valve cover holes make sense for oiling what would have have been an advanced design valve train.
Nice old car well maintained if it runs. Seller could sell it easier with more photos. Considering the cost of transporting one of these, more photos would generate more interest,
Interesting find. I often think I want a car of this age, but then think about driving it on today’s roads. Then I appreciate my 50’s and 60’s cars more. I can at least drive them anyplace.
I remember when I was in the seventh grade that my history book said Henry Ford invented the automobile. I complained to the teacher and she told me to prove it to her so I brought her a book from the library and showed her. To her credit, she praised me for it and announced it to the class. The other students response? Yawn. It made me wonder what else they get wrong in textbooks that’s presented as “fact,” but that’s a question for other forums.
Just saw this thing parked in Danville listed now for $12K and “serious inquiries only.”
While its listed as running and drive-able, every seal and the radiator is leaking. Best I can tell, current owner slapped on 4 new tires and battery. “Beautiful patina” aside, this one isn’t for the faint of heart.